People will respond to govt's 15-month performance on polling day: Sheikh Rashid

Says selection of caretaker premier can develop into a dispute

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Sheikh Rashid – the head of his own faction of Muslim League – said on Thursday the people hit by inflation and poverty would expose the government’s 15-month performance on the polling day in case elections were held in a transparent manner. 

In a tweet, the Awami Muslim League chief said the government could do whatever it wanted during the remaining 20 days as the rulers won’t get another opportunity.  

جے یو آئی کہتی ہے کہ تمام سیٹوں پے الیکشن لڑیں گے ن لیگ کہتی ہے سیٹ اجسٹمنٹ نہیں کریں گے پی پی پی کہتی ہے کہ اپنے نشان پے الیکشن لڑیں گے میں نے پہلے ہی کہا تھا کہ ان کا شیرازه بکھرے گا یہ عوام کے غیض و غضب کا نشانہ بنیں گے اور ان کےپاس ضمانتیں ضبط کروانے والوں کاجمع غفیر…

— Sheikh Rashid Ahmed (@ShkhRasheed) July 20, 2023 

About the ruling alliance, Rashid noted the JUI-F talked about contesting polls from all constituencies with the PML-N being against seat adjustment and the PPP going in the race on its own symbol. 

He had previously predicted that the alliance would be torn apart, the former interior minister recalled and added that the ruling parties were going to face the people’s wrath in elections.

Rashid said the IMF’s harsh conditions would cause new problems for Pakistan’s economy and further harm the poor. The friendly nations too, he added, had advised to fix the domestic issues and ensure political and economic stability. 

While claiming the poor had become orphans, Rashid listed the problems faced by the country – from brain drain and zero expansion in industrial base to absence of investment and increase in poverty – and questioned how those responsible for price hike of every commodity would ask people to vote them into power again.

He said the real issue was the selection of a new caretaker prime minister. Whether he should be a politician or an economist was the bone of contention which might develop into a serious dispute, Rashid said. 

An honest and impartial caretaker prime minister would kill the very desire for rigging, thus enhancing the country’s standing at international level, said the AML chief.